Round-up of Decisions at Environment and Services Committee
Following the Environment and Services Committee meeting held on Wednesday 22nd April, a round-up of key decisions is below.
Future of Greenhill Rafts
Following careful consideration of legal advice received from a firm specialising in health and safety, the committee agreed with the recommendation not to redeploy the rafts at Greenhill Beach for the 2026 season. The committee also agreed to create a cross-party work party to inform and assist the following:
i) Funds to be considered for professional research to be undertaken by a marine safety/leisure expert to find safe provision of a raft or alternative leisure swimming/marine facility.
ii) A report to be submitted early in the new year to allow a decision and procurement to take place before the 2027 season.
Members of the cross-party group will be decided at the next meeting.
Free toilet access for events in 2026
The following events will have free access to the following toilet facilities this year:
Fayre in the Square, 23rd and 24th May – Cove Street toilets
Wessex Folk Festival, 30th and 31st May – Cove Street toilets
Weymouth 10 Road Race, 18th October – Overcombe toilets
Free parking dates for 2026
Councillors agreed the following dates and events be put forward to qualify for free parking in selected Dorset Council car parks. These include:
Armed Forces Service and Parade on Sunday 21st June – Lodmoor car park.
Remembrance Sunday Service and Parade on Sunday 8th November – all town centre car parks.
Beach Motocross on Sunday 11th October – Pavilion Forecourt and Pavilion rear car park for riders and event set up.
Christmas Lights Switch On, Saturday 28th November – all town centre car parks.
Two further dates in December are allocated including Small Business Saturday and Tuesday 22nd December.
Beach Lockers
The committee approved a proposal for new lockers to be installed on the promenade behind the Beach Office for members of the public to secure their belongings during a trip seaside. Officers will work with the company Lockars Ltd to install the storage units, which could be ready for the public to hire to by the beginning of July.
The company would operate, monitor, manage, maintain, repair, and where necessary replace the lockers throughout the contract and the Council would receive a percentage of the income from the hire charges.
Community Survey Report (2025/26 with Year-on-Year Comparison)
Councillors noted the report.
Promenade – Traffic Regulation Order (TRO). The committee agreed not to proceed with the Project Initiation Document for a full TRO along the promenade and agreed that officers will use a business-as-usual approach to managing unauthorised parking within existing budgets, working in partnership with Dorset Council.
To view the full agenda and appendices, visit www.weymouthtowncouncil.gov.uk/committee or watch back on the Council’s YouTube channel.
ENDS
Notes to Editors
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